Luke 21 (KJV)

Luke 21:1–4

The widow's offering

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

In the temple, Jesus watches rich people putting their gifts into the treasury and sees a poor widow put in two tiny coins. He says she has given more than all of them, because they gave out of their surplus while she gave all she had to live on.

What does this mean?

"Mites" (KJV) were lepta, the smallest coins in circulation, made of copper or bronze.

Historical context

Later Jewish sources describe thirteen trumpet-shaped collection chests in the temple court where offerings were placed.

Why does it matter?

Interpreters read the story in two ways: as praise of the widow's complete devotion, or, following straight on the warning about scribes who "devour widows' houses" (20:47), as a lament over a system that took the last coins of the poor. Both readings reflect Luke's concern for the poor and for widows (2:37; 7:12; 18:3).

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Luke 21:5–19

The temple's destruction and coming persecution

And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

When some admire the temple's beautiful stones and gifts, Jesus foretells that not one stone will be left on another. Asked when, he warns against false messiahs and against panic over wars, earthquakes, famines and signs in the sky. Before all this, he says, his followers will be arrested and brought before synagogues, kings and governors, betrayed even by their families, but he will give them words and wisdom, and by enduring they will gain their lives.

What does this mean?

"In my name" means claiming to be Jesus or to act with his authority. "In your patience possess ye your souls" (KJV) means "by your endurance you will gain your lives."

Historical context

Herod the Great began a vast rebuilding of the temple around 20 BCE, and work continued for decades; its white stone and gold made it famous across the Roman world. It was destroyed by Rome in 70 CE.

Why does it matter?

Acts narrates the fulfilment of these warnings: apostles are imprisoned, Stephen is killed, and Paul defends himself before governors and King Agrippa. The promise that "not a hair of your head" will perish, alongside the warning that some will be killed, is usually read as a promise of ultimate safety rather than physical protection.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Luke 21:20–28

Jerusalem's fall and the coming of the Son of Man

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Jesus says that when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies its desolation is near: those in Judea must flee to the mountains, for these are days of punishment, and the city will be trampled by Gentiles until their times are fulfilled. Then there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars and distress among the nations, and people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and glory; his followers should look up, for their redemption is near.

What does this mean?

"The times of the Gentiles" means a period during which non-Jewish nations dominate Jerusalem. The Son of Man "coming in a cloud" draws on Daniel 7:13. "Redemption" means liberation.

Historical context

The church historian Eusebius records a tradition that Jerusalem's Christians fled to Pella, east of the Jordan, before the Roman siege of 70 CE. Where Mark speaks of "the abomination of desolation" (Mark 13:14), Luke speaks of armies surrounding the city; many scholars think he wrote after the event, while others argue the language draws on earlier prophecies of sieges.

Why does it matter?

Many scholars read Luke as distinguishing the city's destruction, a historical event, from the cosmic coming of the Son of Man, separated by an undefined period. Interpreters differ on how literally to take the cosmic signs.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Luke 21:29–38

The fig tree and a call to stay alert

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

Jesus tells a parable: when trees put out leaves, summer is near; so when these things happen, God's kingdom is near. This generation will not pass away until all is accomplished, and his words will never pass away. He urges his hearers to stay alert and pray, rather than be weighed down by excess and worry. Luke adds that Jesus taught in the temple each day and spent the nights on the Mount of Olives.

What does this mean?

"Surfeiting" (KJV) means overindulgence or carousing.

Historical context

The fig tree is one of the few trees in the region that loses its leaves in winter, so new leaves are a clear sign of approaching summer. Festival pilgrims who could not find lodging in the crowded city often camped on the surrounding hills.

Why does it matter?

"This generation" is one of the most debated phrases in the Gospels; interpreters take it to mean Jesus' contemporaries (and so the fall of Jerusalem), humanity in general, or the generation that sees the final signs. The closing summary explains how Judas could find Jesus at night away from the crowds (22:39).

Editorial notes, not scripture.